Grading the Lions-Broncos: The Huge Show's Brian VanOchten

Sentinel contributor Brian VanOchten grades the Lions following Sunday's 45-10 rout of the Denver Broncos in Week 8 at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver.

Listen to VanOchten on The Huge Show on WHTC-AM (1450) and WBBL-FM (107.3) every Tuesday and Thursday from 3-6 p.m.

Sentinel contributor Brian VanOchten grades the Lions following Sunday's 45-10 rout of the Denver Broncos in Week 8 at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver.

OFFENSE
All of the Lions' ills were cured against a pathetic opponent on the road. Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford, who had been questionable in practice during the week with ankle and knee injuries, returned to form with a huge performance. He finished 21-of-30 passing for 267 yards and three touchdowns, including a 41-yard strike to Titus Young on a blown coverage assignment by the Broncos, a superb play-action fake and 1-yard toss to tight end Tony Scheffler and 56-yard bomb to Calvin Johnson after the Broncos jumped offside. Stafford threw off his back foot and still hit Megatron in stride in a one-on-one matchup against All-Pro corner Champ Bailey. The Detroit running game was nothing special, but it didn't need to be. It was especially nice to see Young, Scheffler and Nate Burleson contributing to the offense.

Grade: A-

DEFENSE
So much for Tebow-mania. The Lions teed off on Tim Tebow. You had to feel embarrassed for the Denver quarterback as he struggled through an 18-for-39 passing performance that included a pair of turnovers returned for scores. Lions cornerback Chris Houston returned an interception 100 yards for a touchdown and speed-rushing end Cliff Avril had a sack, strip and scoop of a fumble that he returned 24 yards for a touchdown. On top of that, the Lions sacked Tebow seven times. Lions middle linebacker Stephen Tulloch set the tone for this mismatch in the first quarter when he smothered Tebow and then struck a prayerful pose right next to the turnover-prone former Heisman Trophy winner from Florida. The sad fact is that Tebow is not an NFL quarterback. He isn't nearly accurate enough to make it as a passer.

Grade: A

SPECIAL TEAMS
In the opening minute of the second quarter, 41-year-old Lions placekicker Jason Hanson connected on a 50-yard field goal to put Detroit ahead, 10-3. It marked the 49th field goal of 50 or more yards in his 21-year career, which leads the NFL all-time. To nit-pick, Lions punt returner Stefan Logan botched a couple of fair catches, failing to attempt to run the ball back when no one was near him. But not much to complain about here.

Grade: B+

COACHING
The Lions snapped a two-game losing streak, and did it with swagger. The entire planet tuned in expecting to see the latest coronation of Tebow, but the Lions exposed him for being a complete fraud. The game plans from both offensive coordinator Scott Linehan and defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham, who blitzed the second-year Broncos quarterback into submission, were simple, but brilliant. Lions coach Jim Schwartz got his mojo back the moment his team won the coin toss and deferred to the second-half kickoff. You had to love the strategy of putting Tebow under pressure right from the start. The Lions are 6-2 at the midpoint of the season, including 4-0 on the road, entering their bye week. That's a sight for sore eyes for all of the long-suffering fans of this franchise. Amen to these Lions!

Grade: A+

Listen to VanOchten on The Huge Show on WHTC-AM (1450) and WBBL-FM (107.3) every Tuesday and Thursday from 3-6 p.m.